The Football Association have today ruled that Retford United's bid for promotion to the Evo-Stik League is to be turned down.

A statement from the Baris NCEL Premier Division champions reads as follows: "Retford United Football Club have this evening been informed by the Football Association that their application for promotion from the Northern Counties East League to the Northern Premier League has been turned down, and they will be informing the Leagues Committee of this decision prior to the League Constitutions being confirmed.

"The club were called to a meeting at the FA Headquarters, Wembley at short notice on Monday morning where they were in front of a Leagues committee to discuss several areas including the Clubs Governance, Finance and Security of Tenure.

"While the club were complimented in the commitment shown since the formation of the new committee, there were still several outstanding issues that have forced the decision to be made, and the Football Association believe that it will be of a longer term benefit to the club that we remain in the Northern Counties East League.

"The club are obviously disappointed with the decision, and the committee will be meeting in the coming week to discuss the way forward and further announcements will be made in due course.

"Retford United have this evening spoken to the Northern Counties East League who have offered their full support to the club moving forward into the 2012/13 season."